VOLUNTEER

Get involved in the Community

On Farm Volunteering

For some, the daily chores on the farm provides a therapeutic element they seek. Taking in the serenity, tranquility, the sound of horses munching on hay is often considered solace for many.

Just being in the fresh air, interacting with the horses and getting some physical exercise allows many to hit their refresh button.

What you might expect:

  • Daily Tasks can include:

    • Turning horses in and out, blanketing, mucking stalls and paddocks, cleaning and refilling stall and paddock waters as needed, feeding, filling hay bags, sweeping, grooming. For advanced equestrians there may be opportunity to work under one of our trainers to lunge or school some of our horses.

  • Weekly/Monthly Tasks:

    • Assisting with the unloading of hay into lofts, unloading shavings and grain, general clean up around barn yard including around plantings, dragging the arena, checking fencing and repairing as needed, paint touch ups and more.

    • There is plenty of opportunity to facilitate a youth or adult program. If you are “horse-savvy” or a skilled rider there are opportunities to work with program participants teaching them basic horsemanship such as grooming, handling, blanketing, cleaning tack, etc. These educational and therapeutic activities put a smile on everyone’s face!

  • Large Projects:

    • The organization needs volunteers to help with a number of large-scale but short-term projects. Currently, some of our bigger jobs include repairing and painting of our “main barn”, scrapping topsoil out of paddocks, re-footing them, replacing sections of fencing, and more. Farm maintenance is ongoing. Volunteers with the ability to commit to several hours over a few weeks to tackle one of these projects alongside others are needed. If you have the skill sets &/or equipment to help us get a particular project done please let us know.

Behind the Scenes

There is so much that goes on behind the scenes to keep our horses well-fed, healthy, and safe. Many volunteers prefer getting involved in various “behind the scenes” activities such as:              

  • Advocacy + Outreach

  • Event planning, Fundraising , Marketing  & more

  • Working on supportive programs for owners                                          

  • Development of long-term projects from conception to fruition

  • Administrative support 

  • Board & Committee positions                                                              

Join the Ambassador Program

Help us spread the word! Our ambassadors have the opportunity to engage in many different activities. At events, fairs, horse shows, and more, they frequently get to be with one or more of our ambassador ponies while promoting the safety and well-being of equines through our advocacy, education, and outreach programs while meeting so many great people.

USHWR offers something for everyone.  For many volunteers, USHWR has enabled them to fulfill a desire to make a difference and develop a greater understanding of the plight of America's discarded horses.  For most volunteers, the same passion that has so inspired us to journey down this road quickly emerges in them.  


More questions? Send us an email at USHorseWelfare@gmail.com

We take volunteers ages 18 and up. Younger children/teens may volunteer when accompanied by a legal guardian or may choose to participate in one of our many youth programs designed for their specific age group. For more information about these programs please go to our “Programs” button.